Another Newb Cycling Question

[louiemarsh]

Hey all,

My question has to do with cycling an aquarium. I set up a 12 gallon eclipse about 2 weeks ago. I was planning on getting a Beta, maybe 3 of the small cory cats, and a school of 5-7 small tetra types.

If I was to add my Beta now what would be the harm? If I do not overfeed him can a single Beta possibly raise the ammonia level to a range that would be harmful before the natural cycle kicks in. Then I would add the other fish in small groups every 3 weeks or so.

I see Beta's in those small bowls with no filters or media of any sort, so I assume they cannot have much if any bacteria in the bowl. Just looking for advice.

Thanks

 

[beviking]

That's exactly what you want to do. Add only a few fish at a time and wait. When starting out a new tank, it is important to change water more frequently to prevent levels of ammonia/nitrite from affecting the fish adversely.
Bacteria are everywhere. Whenever you take a fish from point a to point b, it takes bacteria with it. Once there are bacteria in a given location, they will multiply as much as the conditions allow (space, food source). This is the premise of the cycle, waiting for the bacteria colony to grow large enough to handle the load of ammonia/nitrite produced.

 

[Holly9937]

If I was to add my Beta now what would be the harm? If I do not overfeed him can a single Beta possibly raise the ammonia level to a range that would be harmful before the natural cycle kicks in.
Thanks

If you don't do water changes regularly, yes the water can get to a toxic level before there are enough bacteria present to convert it. If you want to cycle the tank with the betta, just make sure you have test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrtate before you add him to the tank so that you can monitor the levels, (daily, or every other day). And be prepared to do water changes if things start going poorly. Basically, it is just more work to do a fishy cycle, because you have a fish to worry about keeping healthy.

 

[daveedka]

Just for your information, one of the biggest cruelties in our hobby is the way beatta's are kept in the stores. they may survive, but the conditions are inhumane most of the time.
The advice given is pretty straight forward IMO.
the beatta probably will produce enough ammonia to justify water changes, but testing is the way to go. Once things are estabilished then add one or two more small fish and keep watching things. after a week or two without problems add one or two more and so on until you are fully stocked. Fishy cycles can be done humanely, but as was mentioned they are more work and the time it takes to reach full stocking is much longer.
Dave

 

[Sully]

bettas may not be the best fish to cycle with. Maybe think about something hardy like danios. then after the tank is cycled return the remaining danios to lfs.

just a thought.

 

[anonapersona]

cycling with betta

If you do 100% water change after 1 week, a betta might survive. My daughter kept a betta in one of those small bowls for 3 1/2 years doing full water change and gravel rinse weekly. It probably helps if the water conditioner you use treats ammonia as well as chlorine, like Prime or something similar.